Car vs. Tractor-Trailer: Officials seek to educate drivers on how to safely coexist with big rigs
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When a tractor-trailer and car collide, the results can be deadly.
Georgia State Patrol Villa Rica Post Commander Joey Boatright said sometimes it’s the reckless actions of a tractor-trailer driver and sometimes it’s the fault of the driver of the smaller vehicle. Regardless of who is to blame, the Georgia Department of Public Safety is trying to both educate and aggressively enforce laws to curtail the dangerous driving behaviors that can lead to the devastating and often preventable collisions.
Along some of the busier thoroughfares — including Highway 113 and Interstate 20 — where heavy truck activity is common, the department’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division, state troopers and sheriff’s deputies have teamed up this week to stop drivers. Since Tuesday, authorities said, more than 300 stops have been made by law enforcement officials in the dual-county area as part of the Georgia Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks initiative, or G-TACT project.
This is the third wave of enforcement in west Georgia that began this spring. The goal is to combine resources and educate drivers about the dangers they can encounter when they cut off a big rig or choose to tailgate a heavy truck at high speeds. The project has been held across the state on busy highways and interstates this year through the funding of a grant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Boatright said he has seen both cars and tractor-trailers tailgate, which leaves little room for a commercial rig to stop safely.
“Stopping abruptly in a tractor-trailer takes about three times the distance than a car that is traveling at the same speed,” he said. “If there is an emergency ahead and the driver of a car can stop in time, the tractor-trailer might not be able to if there is not enough space between the two.”
Boatright said there are many defensive-driving techniques that can make the drive safer.
“Drivers should know that tractor-trailers have a blind spot directly behind the vehicle and just back behind the driver’s side door and cab,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the truck drivers to have mirrors set up, but passenger cars should be aware of these potential areas that might have limited visibility.”
Boatright said aggressive driving and cutting off other vehicles are common hazards that can lead to a collision.
“Anytime (it’s) a tractor-trailer versus a car in a collision, there is the potential to be a serious or deadly accident,” he said. “Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also be just as deadly, though. This program was started because of the number of accidents we have, not just in Carroll and Douglas counties but across the entire state.”
State Patrol Lt. Paul Cosper said motor carrier compliance officers also inspected heavy trucks this week looking for mechanical problems such as headlights out, brake issues or worn tires. During the three-day span, 13 vehicles were ordered out of service for violations and 70 citations were issued to drivers. Vehicles could also be ordered out of service if the drivers have exceeded the limit on the log they are required to keep to record how long they have driven in a determined time.
“This is for the safety of everyone,” he said. “If you are driving an 80,000-pound vehicle, then you need to be safe. At the same time, cars do not need to cut off large trucks on the road.”
Georgia State Patrol Villa Rica Post Commander Joey Boatright said sometimes it’s the reckless actions of a tractor-trailer driver and sometimes it’s the fault of the driver of the smaller vehicle. Regardless of who is to blame, the Georgia Department of Public Safety is trying to both educate and aggressively enforce laws to curtail the dangerous driving behaviors that can lead to the devastating and often preventable collisions.
Along some of the busier thoroughfares — including Highway 113 and Interstate 20 — where heavy truck activity is common, the department’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division, state troopers and sheriff’s deputies have teamed up this week to stop drivers. Since Tuesday, authorities said, more than 300 stops have been made by law enforcement officials in the dual-county area as part of the Georgia Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks initiative, or G-TACT project.
This is the third wave of enforcement in west Georgia that began this spring. The goal is to combine resources and educate drivers about the dangers they can encounter when they cut off a big rig or choose to tailgate a heavy truck at high speeds. The project has been held across the state on busy highways and interstates this year through the funding of a grant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Boatright said he has seen both cars and tractor-trailers tailgate, which leaves little room for a commercial rig to stop safely.
“Stopping abruptly in a tractor-trailer takes about three times the distance than a car that is traveling at the same speed,” he said. “If there is an emergency ahead and the driver of a car can stop in time, the tractor-trailer might not be able to if there is not enough space between the two.”
Boatright said there are many defensive-driving techniques that can make the drive safer.
“Drivers should know that tractor-trailers have a blind spot directly behind the vehicle and just back behind the driver’s side door and cab,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the truck drivers to have mirrors set up, but passenger cars should be aware of these potential areas that might have limited visibility.”
Boatright said aggressive driving and cutting off other vehicles are common hazards that can lead to a collision.
“Anytime (it’s) a tractor-trailer versus a car in a collision, there is the potential to be a serious or deadly accident,” he said. “Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also be just as deadly, though. This program was started because of the number of accidents we have, not just in Carroll and Douglas counties but across the entire state.”
State Patrol Lt. Paul Cosper said motor carrier compliance officers also inspected heavy trucks this week looking for mechanical problems such as headlights out, brake issues or worn tires. During the three-day span, 13 vehicles were ordered out of service for violations and 70 citations were issued to drivers. Vehicles could also be ordered out of service if the drivers have exceeded the limit on the log they are required to keep to record how long they have driven in a determined time.
“This is for the safety of everyone,” he said. “If you are driving an 80,000-pound vehicle, then you need to be safe. At the same time, cars do not need to cut off large trucks on the road.”
When you are following a truck if you can't see its side mrrors you are in its blind spot. Drop back. Don't attempt to pass a large truck unless you are sure you can pass saely. Once alongside it you may discover that it is traveling much faster than you thought.
Don't linger beside a truck. Either go ahead and pass it or move back into your lane. Some truck drivers drive many hours without any sleep and are not always safely alert. They may swerve over into your lane as you are attempting to pass.
When you meet a large truck stay closer to the right edge of your lane. Wind turbulence can push your vehicle off the road. Motorcycles, especially, should stay to the right when meeting a large truck.
If you see large trucks following each other, or other vehicles, too closely use your cell phone to report them to the highway patrol.
(From Alice's Syman's book, CALIFORNIA DRIVERS TEST MADE EASY, with permission)